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25th
May 2011
Wind Blows Buncrana 5K Records Off Course as nearly 300 Runners
Defy the Elements
The wet and windy weather abated somewhat
to allow Wednesday evenings Sean Furey Insurances Buncrana
5K to enjoy dry conditions but the strong headwind off Lough
Swilly on the first 2.5K, effectively ruled out any course
record bids despite very impressive winning runs from Donegal
duo, Letterkennys Ciaran Doherty and Finn Valleys Teresa McGloin
at the head of the 300 strong field.
The North West was battered by blustery winds and rain for
most of Wednesday and this may have affected the overall entry
numbers ,but a dry interlude just before the start cheered
the runners,even if the headwind remained,albeit a trifle
reduced. Pre race favourite City of Derrys Connor Bradley
led through the first Kilomete and beyond from Ciaran Doherty
but the Letterkenny man was level as they turned onto the
back road approaching 3K to run for home. The Spartan dropped
out shortly afterwards citing a leg niggle and Doherty stormed
on unchallanged to post 14m 59s winning time,ahead of another
Spartan Arnie Doherty whose 15m 19s gave him a narrow one
second margin over Buncrana resident and Letterkenny AC athlete,the
evergreen Pauric McKinney.
The top three were clear of the chasing pack led home in fourth
by the consistent Foyle Valley man Scott Rankin on 15m 27s;
the City of Derry duo Paddy Mhor Doherty and Colin Roberts
completed the top six,claiming the M35 and M40 category respectively
with 15m 32s and 15m 42s. Track star Pajo Hamilton was seventh
with a massive 15m 45s PB; clubmate Brendan Murphy also notched
a PB with 15m 51s in eigth and the top ten was completed by
Letterkennys Ivan Toner on 15m 59s and the Spartans James
Brown on 16m 10s.
Last years runner up Teresa McGloin was all alone up front
in the womens race clocking an excellent 16m 56s with North
Belfasts Cathy McCourt also producing a great !7m 30s for
second spot. City of Derrys ageless master Anne Paul, was
a comfortable third with a gutsy 18m 19s effort. The top three
women, along with the 2nd and 3rd men, were all previous winners
on the course!
Fourth female was the top F40 Dawn McDaid of Foyle Valley
on 18m 53s and she was followed by her sister Rosie O Brien
who stormed to a 18m 58s PB ahead of the sixth placed City
of Derrys Marina Campbell with 19m 15s. Springwells Gemma
Turley was next on 19m 23s;Inishowens Teresa Doherty ran 19m
31s for eight; Mary Connolly of Finn Valley on 19m 37s claimed
ninth an the top ten was rounded off with an excellent 19m
48s PB from another Spartan Catherine Lilburn.
Other Category Winners
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Gerry Duddy , Peter Lilburn and Christy McMonagle won the
M45,M55 and M65 categories with times of 17m 04s, 18m 04s
and 19m 34s; Letterkenny pair Joe English and Kevin Toner
ran 17m 19s and 18m 46s to take the M50 and M60 prizes. Finn
Valleys Miriam Bonner posted 20m 47s for the F35 win;Bridgeen
Byrne, Una Gavin and Roisin Lynch made it red all way with
success in the F45,F50 and F60 categories with respective
times of 20m 09s, 21m 36s and 22m38s.
The U20 awards went to Letterkennys Adam Friel with a 16m
44s clocking and Eillen Mc Kinney who ran 22m 13s to notch
up a notable victory.
At the post race refreshments and Awards ceremony Dara Furey
of the series Sponsors did the honours to a packed house in
Scoil Mhuire which together with the Buncrana Leisure Centre
served as race HQ.
Our first effort at the results here.
Could be a few mistakes which we will attempt to fix when
we have our video evidence. If you spot anything email fudgelarge@gmail.com
.
Photos here
from Paddy Murphy of the start and at the 3km mark and here
from Pete Webster from the 1km mark and finish. Thanks very
much lads!
293 finishers.
Video as soon as possible. Great race! Thanks
to race sponsors Sean Furey Insurances, To Scoil Mhuire and
Buncrana Leisure Centre for the use of the facilities. To
the Garda for their help and to all the team who helped in
any way. Lastly, thanks to all the runners for taking part
and not being put off by a wee breeze on Monday/Tuesday! You
all ran great! Eoghan Furey
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